Electric Radiator Fan Conversion
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
From: Englewood CO
Electric Radiator Fan Conversion
I am looking to replace my radiator fan to a 16in electric. I found this fan on ebay that comes with the sensor for it. Does this look like a good deal. I know I would still need to buy some relays for it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/16-El...spagenameZWDVW
Thanks for the help.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/16-El...spagenameZWDVW
Thanks for the help.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 0
From: San Diego California
I never heard of that brand. Does it fit in a C3? 3000cfm should be enough cooling though. Most articles I've read, recommend Spal dual fans; and there are also dual flexolite fans, but the cfm is down to about 2200. So the fit, your size engine, weather conditions and driving habits are all important considerations.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
I have a 16 inch Spal fan that I will sell you. I ran it for a year on my stock LT1 radiator and it kept my 350 cool with no problem. When I went to the 383 I went to a aluminum rad. and dual fans. I'm surethe single would have worked just wanted more. It even has the brackets to mount on the rad. If you are interested send me a PM and I can take a few pics. I'll check on the relays. I might have used them for the new setup.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
I think that is the same fan I have in my '80. It works great and has not problem keeping my GMPP 350 HO engine cool even idling aroung on a hot day in August. My only complaint is that the grate is a little flimsy where it meets the shroud.
I went with a single fan instead of duals so that some of the radiator was not blocked by the electric fan shroud to get some air flowing through the radiator without the fan running. The fan usually runs only when I'm stopped.
I went with a single fan instead of duals so that some of the radiator was not blocked by the electric fan shroud to get some air flowing through the radiator without the fan running. The fan usually runs only when I'm stopped.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
That ebay fan has a temp switch that closes at 180F ... suggest at 180F that fan might run most of the time. Also, you should verify if you have 3/8-18 port that switch requires.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Do an Ebay or salvage yard search for a Ford / Lincoln MarkVIII fan. It's 18" blades move almost 4000 CFM, and will roll a bowling ball up a hill. Plus, it's cheaper than the auction you found, has a shroud built right in, and fits like a glove in a C3, over a stock radiator. The controllers sold with most of the Ebay fans are junk. Spend a few bucks on a really good variable speed pulse controller. If you go that route, PM me for the link to the fan controller. You can use a cheapo controller for that MarkVIII fan, but when the fan kicks in and shuts off is key to optimal operating temps.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,472
Likes: 18
From: Lake Ozark, MO
With 3000 CFM you won't be able to hear your engine running...going to sound like a jet taking off (not quite that bad 
)
I have a 2350 and it is louder thean the SC that I paid big bucks to hear whine......
)I have a 2350 and it is louder thean the SC that I paid big bucks to hear whine......
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
That's why you keep your foot in the throttle and you won't hear the fan. Trust me.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
That's very easy and cheap to do. A CS130 will bolt right in and give you 100+ amps at idle. A CS144 will fit if you move the upper bracket down an inch.
The wiring is easy, with a plug from Autozone, $4, you can convert the two wire SI plug to the CS plug for the new CS alternator. Easy and cheap.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
That's very true...surface area, CFM, shrouding, and avoiding air leaking above or beside the radiator will get you a low operating temp.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
That's very easy and cheap to do. A CS130 will bolt right in and give you 100+ amps at idle. A CS144 will fit if you move the upper bracket down an inch.
The wiring is easy, with a plug from Autozone, $4, you can convert the two wire SI plug to the CS plug for the new CS alternator. Easy and cheap.
The wiring is easy, with a plug from Autozone, $4, you can convert the two wire SI plug to the CS plug for the new CS alternator. Easy and cheap.
I think I'm going to get a new alternator bracket cut with the extra length and the slighly larger adjustment slot. The way I have it tinkered together right now seems to work, though.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
You found a SI/CS conversion plug at Autozone? When I asked they looked at me like I was speaking Swahili.
I think I'm going to get a new alternator bracket cut with the extra length and the slighly larger adjustment slot. The way I have it tinkered together right now seems to work, though.
I think I'm going to get a new alternator bracket cut with the extra length and the slighly larger adjustment slot. The way I have it tinkered together right now seems to work, though.
I cut mine down a lot, but I also installed a case with 2 and 6 clocking. A 12 and 6 clocking would work perfectly I think, and maybe the lower arm wouldn't have to be lowered.
At Autozone, they have the plug, but I didn't ask. I just looked, and found the CS plug.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,362
Likes: 5
From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
I too, bought a 16" Zirgo. It is sitting in my garage looking for a home. My 383 would not stay cool using it. I then put together a shroud to use with it. Better results, but not good for long driving - it still got hot.
I pulled it, put in dual spals, and have ABSOLUTLEY NO cooling problems since. With AC on, or off I run at 180-185 all day long.
I asked the SPAL vendor about the CFM ratings because the Zirgo has such a high rating. I was told that they are comparing apples to oranges: The Zirgo rating is for the fan with nothing to block the air...like a radiator or shroud.
The Spal rating is installed, on a radiator. That is why the Spal rating is lower CFM than the Zirgo.
Dunno how true ANY of that is, but it sounded like comparing Gross HP rating on an engine to NET horsepower. Made sense at the time.
For whatever the reason, my dual spals keep my stroker cool as it needs to be. And I too, have a 16" Zirgo for sale.
I pulled it, put in dual spals, and have ABSOLUTLEY NO cooling problems since. With AC on, or off I run at 180-185 all day long.
I asked the SPAL vendor about the CFM ratings because the Zirgo has such a high rating. I was told that they are comparing apples to oranges: The Zirgo rating is for the fan with nothing to block the air...like a radiator or shroud.
The Spal rating is installed, on a radiator. That is why the Spal rating is lower CFM than the Zirgo.Dunno how true ANY of that is, but it sounded like comparing Gross HP rating on an engine to NET horsepower. Made sense at the time.
For whatever the reason, my dual spals keep my stroker cool as it needs to be. And I too, have a 16" Zirgo for sale.
